210 Hale Street – Historic Profile & Full Renovation Summary 210 Hale Street, located in the heart of downtown Charleston, WV, is an early 20th-century Italianate commercial building that has served the city for over a century. Recognized as a contributing structure in the Downtown Charleston Historic District, the property is historically noted for its three-story, three-bay façade, decorative Italianate cornice, recessed entrance, and tall vertical window bays. Throughout much of the mid- to late20th century, the building was best known as a longtime home of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, a landmark use that appears directly in its National Register documentation. Structurally, the building dates to the early 1906 period, a timeframe supported by both historic registry descriptions and early city records. Like many commercial buildings of that era, multiple windows had been boarded up and plastered over beginning in the 1960s, masking much of its original architectural character for decades. A New Chapter – Ownership & Complete Renovation (2017–Present) The building entered a transformative new era when it was purchased in 2017. Over the next several years, all three floors and the full basement were completely remodeled— modernized for today’s needs while preserving the building’s historic charm. Building-Wide Upgrades • All lighting was replaced with LED throughout the entire building. • Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) installed on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors. • Extensive electrical upgrades, including added service for expanded commercial use. • Phase 3 electrical added in the basement to support a commercial restaurant kitchen. • Fresh paint throughout the building. • Asbestos Abatement • Plumbing Upgrades • Most doors and digital locks Building Features • Hydraulic elevator at the main entrance providing access to every floor. • Stairwells located at both the middle and rear of the building. • 16-camera, hard-wired video surveillance system installed. • Roof replaced around 2010 by Harris Brothers, per previous owner. • HVAC units for each floor vary in age but are fully functional and professionally serviced twice per year (Fall/Summer and Winter/Spring cycles). • Convenient access to multiple downtown parking options, including the city garage, 900 on Lee Garage, several pay lots, and street parking. Floor-by-Floor Renovation Details FIRST FLOOR – Restored Historic Character The first floor underwent a major restoration to give it a wide-open feel while highlighting some historical features. • Brick walls fully exposed, revealing the building’s original texture and craftsmanship. • Windows uncovered after decades of being boarded and plastered over—fully replaced with modern units that maintain the historic style. • Original structural piers revealed, including wood columns, hand-riveted steel columns, and one concrete column, all now visible architectural features. • Dimmable LED lighting installed for event-ready ambiance. • Two fully remodeled bathrooms. • Prep kitchen added for event use. • Fresh paint and new LVP flooring throughout. SECOND FLOOR – Modernized & Flexible Workspace The second floor received a clean, modern refresh designed for office or mixed-use functionality: • Two updated bathrooms. • New LED lighting throughout. • LVP flooring installed across the full level. • Freshly painted spaces ready for professional tenants or event use or could be remodeled into apartment rentals. THIRD FLOOR – The Signature Transformation The third floor is the most dramatic example of the building’s rebirth. When purchased, almost the entire level was hidden: • The entire floor sat under a drop ceiling, and nearly all windows were boarded up and plastered over. • Renovation removed the drop ceiling to reveal the original metal tin ceiling, which was fully restored. Missing or damaged panels were repaired using tin sections reclaimed from the back portion of the third floor. • Windows uncovered and replaced, returning natural light and the historic appearance. • Brick fully exposed, creating a stunning loft-style aesthetic. • A full granite kitchen was added, complete with modern appliances. • Bathrooms feature granite countertops and updated fixtures. • The elevator façade on this floor was finished with a large custom stone surround, creating a dramatic visual anchor. • The level includes a custom conference room unlike anything else downtown: o A hand-built reclaimed wood table, o Designed with embedded metal shavings inside a clear acrylic top, o Internal lighting within the table for a distinctive, signature centerpiece. This floor is now a showpiece—ideal for events, meetings, photography sessions, and upscale office use or could be easily transformed into a luxury downtown penthouse. BASEMENT – Restaurant & Bar Conversion The basement was the final phase of renovation and is now an active bar/restaurant/event space: • Phase 3 electrical service added to power commercial kitchen equipment. • New commercial kitchen installed, including: o Brand-new equipment in most stations, o New exhaust hood, o Layout designed for high-efficiency service. • Building operations do not currently use grease, so a fire suppression system is not required. • Space finished to serve as a stylish hospitality venue connected to the Hale Street nightlife footprint. • Brick exposed and sealed. • Original concrete pillars exposed and sealed. • Concrete stamped ceiling exposed and sealed. • 1 of a kind ghost murals painted by now deceased and wildly talented Jesse Corlis. Today 210 Hale Street now stands as a fully restored, modernized, and historically anchored mixed-use property—featuring event venues, office space, and hospitality operations. What was once a boarded-up office building with hidden architectural detail has become a vibrant cornerstone of Charleston’s downtown revival, one that blends historic preservation, modern functionality, and upscale design across all four levels.